There may have been many pictures taken of Lou Kaye
at the microphone, but we believe this is the only one that still exists.
It shows Lou Kaye on the air at WIOO, Carlisle PA in March, 1966. Also
shown is colleague and friend Dave Shayer.

Lou Kaye lived until March 17, 1998.

He was 53 years old.

"Lou Kaye" was the broadcast radio
announcer name adopted by Louis Klawansky. Lou was born on
February 17, 1945, to David and Ella Klawansky. He grew
up in Harrisburg and later moved to South Philadelphia. He later
made NE Philadelphia his home. An Aquarian with many Aquarian talents
and quirks, he had a professional quality about him that made anyone
who met him realize he was made of heart and soul, and possessed a
rare talent for radio announcing. Lou started to practice announcing
when he was about 10 years old. By the time he was only fifteen years
old, Lou was a seasoned announcer.

He worked for such radio
stations as WIOO, Carlisle PA -- WBCB, Fairless Hills PA -- WBUD,
Trenton NJ -- WTTM, Trenton NJ, and WHAT-FM, Philadelphia
(before they were WWDB). He also worked at WMID, Atlantic City NJ
-- WNJH, Hammonton NJ -- WCMC, Wildwood NJ -- WJJZ, MT Holly NJ --
WOND, Pleasantville NJ -- WKDN/WTMR, Camden NJ -- WCAM, Camden
NJ -- WFEC, Harrisburg PA -- WKBO, Harrisburg PA -- WJBR-FM,
Wilmington DE -- WCOJ, Coatsville PA -- WCOY, Columbia PA --
WBUX, Doylestown PA -- And in Philadelphia -- WCAU-FM, WDAS-FM,
WQAL-FM, WRCP where he was Scott Benson. And he
worked for WDVR-FM starting as Lee Kramer and later as Lou Martin.
Lou Kaye also worked with his brother Mel at Super Sound Studios.
His great talent did not go unknown in the industry as he was even hired
at WCBS-FM in New York although illness prevented him from working there.

And there were others.
In the 60's and early 70's Lou Kaye performed many formats of radio,
from rock to middle of the road to country. Whatever format he was
required to adopt, he was a chameleon, laced with creativity,
talent, and "LOU KAYE WIT", and easily rose to the occasion.
He was a GREAT announcer wherever he worked. He was friendly with
such local talents as Hy lit, Sid Mark, Bob Charger,
Harvey Holiday, Rick Friedman, Dave Shayer, Merrill Reese,
and many others who learned along with and from Lou Kaye. He was also friendly
with some of the Greatest New York Talents of Radio such as Dan Ingram,
Stan Martin, and Gene Klavin.

Lou never got to be famous
in a major city broadcast market because of a debilitating emotional disorder
that he would never conquer. But he did conquer the hearts of most
people he met. Lou was known in South and Northeast Philadelphia to many
people who frequented the coffee shops and fast food restaurants like Dunkin'
Donuts, Wawa, and McDonalds. He would often be found there
having a cigarette, a cup of coffee, and just talking
to people. He truly had the 'Gift of Gab'.

When he could no longer broadcast
on the radio, he ran his show for people at these places he visited.
He had no transmitter to carry his magnificent voice, but carried
on one to one conversations with all types of people. He entertained
them to the wee hours of the morning with his Wit and Charm. Literally
hundreds of people remember him for his fun loving, optimistic attitude.
He always somehow made you feel that you were great.

Some of Lou's closest friends
were from N.E. Philadelphia's Punzie's and Richie's crowds,
including his brother Mel Klawansky (a television / radio broadcast engineer),
Clint Wax, Murray Greenfield, Steve Simon, Bruce Fisher,
Rick Kendis, Roger Kendis, Neil Madonick, and Paul Weiner.
Other close friends from in and around Philadelphia such as Dick (Snag)
Franklin, Irv Bruskin, Artie Wald , Paul Scott (Bunting), and
Joe Fortuna will fondly remember Lou. And so will many others from Lenny's,
The Toddle House, Castor Ave, and Cottman Ave. They will
remember Lou for the different ways they interacted with him.
But mostly they'll remember his slick radio style, his love for life
and radio broadcasting, his often simple but accurate way of looking
at things, his love for little gadgets like watches,
radios of all types, tape recorders, and CB or ham radio
hand-held walkie talkies. He used to buy High and sell Low! It seemed
crazy but he loved to sample these new gadgets and then discard them for
new ones. We knew him for these and other eccentricities, his
human weaknesses, and some times his 'craziness'. But
mostly, we loved Lou Kaye.

To those of us who had the pleasure of knowing
him, Lou Kaye should probably best be remembered for being a great
Communicator, and human being. And he brought people together.
We will miss him. Good Bye Lou Kaye, until we meet again at
that radio station or that Dunkin' Donuts in the sky.

Love from your Buddies,

Mevvy and Tox

Anyone who knew Lou who has pictures or text they
would like to add, please e-mail us by clicking link below...